Shaping the future Nordic and European initiatives for Universal Design

2 Presentation Change of understanding – still problems Universal Design – strategy to transelate human rights into reality Win-win concept Regional co-operation 30 years Universal Design in Norway Co-operation between regional and European level – new initiatives Inge Ovesen Deputy Director General, Norwegian Ministry of children and Equality

3 GAP-model

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5 Universal Design

6 Universal Design – win/win concept Investments in urban infrastructure are expensive and have to be long-term. It is therefore good policy – in economic, social and environmental terms – to incorporate a clear Design for All perspective in the planning and design of urban spaces, buildings and infrastructure. Forcing changes to suit people with disabilities at a later stage is more expensive and leads to less than ideal solutions.

7 Nordic Council of Ministers The Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) was formed in In nearly 30 years we have been organizing a Nordic cooperation on Disability issues Today some part of this cooperation also involve the three Baltic Countries Nordic Cooperation on Disability (NSH) is a institution under the NCM and is running a number of programmes and projects to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in the Nordic countries and adjacent area. NSH also functions as the secretariat for the Nordic Council on Disability Policy.

8 Nordic Council on Disability Policy The Nordic Council on Disability Policy is a policy- shaping and advisory body for the entire NCM The Council has established five sector networks of civil servants from the Nordic countries ministries of building and community planning, culture, education, labour marked issues and transport

9 Design for all - The Nordic Way Nordic Design for all Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Action Plan Implementation of the Plan

10 Sustainable Development The strategy ”Sustainable Development – New Bearings for the Nordic Countries” is adopted by the Nordic Prime Ministers and the Nordic Council. A revised version of the strategy came into force january 2005 The strategy focuses on efforts to integrate enviromental considerations and sustainable development in different sectors Initially, seven essential horizontal issues have been included in the strategy: The social dimension, including design for all The strategy covers the Nordic countries and the relationships of the Nordic countries with the Adjacent Areas concerning sustainable development

11 NORWAY y

12 Cooperation Synergies between European, regional and national level. Awareness raising. Projects Improving exchange of good practice.

13 Design for all Stockholm Declaration (2004): “Across Europe, human diversity in age, culture and ability is greater than ever. We now survive illness and injury and live with disability as never before. Although today’s world is a complex place, it is one of our own making, one in which we therfore have the possibility – and responsibility – to base our designs on principle of inclution.”